ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 1 April 2012
Page Count: 5

Photon Spectrum behind Biological Shielding of the LVR-15 Research Reactor

Klupák, V.
Research Centre Řež Ltd., Husinec-Řež,

Viererbl, L.
Research Centre Řež Ltd., Husinec-Řež,

Lahodová, Z.
Research Centre Řež Ltd., Husinec-Řež,

Marek, M.
Research Centre Řež Ltd., Husinec-Řež,

Vinš, M.
Research Centre Řež Ltd., Husinec-Řež,

(Received 31 May 2011; accepted 14 December 2011)

Abstract

The LVR-15 reactor is a light water research reactor situated at the Research Centre Řež, near Prague. It operates as a multipurpose facility with a maximum thermal power of 10 MW. The reactor core usually contains from 28 to 32 fuel assemblies with a total mass of ²³⁵U of about 5 kg. Emitted radiation from the fuel caused by fission is shielded by moderating water, a steel reactor vessel, and heavy concrete. This paper deals with measurement and analysis of the gamma spectrum near the outer surface of the concrete wall, behind biological shielding, mainly in the 3- to 10-MeV energy range. A portable HPGe detector with a portable multichannel analyzer was used to measure gamma spectra. The origin of energy lines in gamma detector spectra was identified.

Keywords:
gamma radiation, gamma spectroscopy, research reactor, shielding

Paper ID: JAI104077
DOI: 10.1520/JAI104077
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